Nature Inspired Gifts for Kids and Families
Getting Help from Nature to Fill Up the Christmas Giving Lists
Gifts from nature are fun all year long, but December brings a time of year when gifting comes to the forefront of our minds. I trust this will inspire ideas for people on your list.
By Rita Fowell, Nature Educator, Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Council
Newborn to 2 year olds on your list:
Start early by including young ones into activities that you can do in all kinds of Alberta weather! Think about what would help the parents get these little ones outside…this would include things like backpack child carriers, all terrain strollers, splash suits, rubber boots, and warm winter layers. For this age, in lieu of monetary gifts, offer to take the child out with you on a nature adventure. This gift would do double duty as Mom and Dad get a much-deserved break!
For the 3 to 5 year olds on your list:
A story book about birds and a pair of focus-free binoculars. At Eagle Point Blue Rapids, we do birding programs with kids of all ages, and the focus-free binoculars help children find birds quicker. Less moving parts also make them more durable for little people!
How about an explorer backpack? Put together items in a backpack around a certain theme. Bugs are a favorite of young children. You could include such things as a bug keeper, magnifier, and an easy ID book. Find a bug scavenger hunt online to challenge any age and then be sure to include a voucher to take the child out into nature to start exploring with their backpack.
For a winter spin on the explorer backpack, a large magnifying glass and a little book on snowflake shapes should get them out looking for those beautiful crystals!
For the 6 to 12 year olds on your list:
Eagle Point Blue Rapids does an Owl Discovery program with children’s groups multiple times each year and what they love the most is dissecting owl pellets! It is exciting to solve the mystery of what the owl ate by searching for all the tiny bones left in the regurgitated remains. You can purchase pellets online or for an Alberta local source search for the Medicine River Wildlife Centre or email education@mrwc.ca. Include a small guidebook of local owls to help them develop a love for birds!
Does the child on your list have a love for art? A small bag with colored pencils and a nature journal is an enjoyable way for kids to connect with nature, helping them to reduce stress and anxiety.
For the 13 to 18 year olds on your list:
Rent some snowshoes from Eagle Point Blue Rapids (we have all sizes). Head out to the Pembina Nordic Centre, explore the multi-use trails and then head back to the Nordic Centre for a campfire, hot chocolate and smores.
This outdoors experience has the added advantage of improving well-being and boosting immunity! Perhaps they would prefer to try nordic skiing – check out the rental options at https://pembinanordic.com/
For the Adults on your List :
Eagle Point Blue Rapids is hosting a basket making workshop on November 29. At the time of writing this, it was nearly full. Check back on our events schedule for more courses that could be great gift ideas at www.epbrparkscouncil.org/events/
Is there a history buff on your list? How about getting them a Parks Canada Pass and joining them for a day at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. They can then go on to experience other outdoor adventures throughout the year.
These nature inspired gifts could spark new interests that will last a lifetime, and the time spent in nature will produce lasting benefits for health and well-being.
